Eventually King and Eda joined Kim and Luz for a late breakfast, and they all enjoyed a peaceful meal together. As Eda got up to handle the dishes she asked, "So what are your plans for today? Shops are closed for the weekend, Kim doesn't have classes, and I'm still pretty spent from yesterday. To be honest you two have been working really hard so if you want you can have this weekend all to yourselves."

Luz looked at Eda and said noncommittally, "I was thinking I'd take Kim on an adventure through the woods today. Just have a good old sister bonding day, ya know."

Eda raised an eyebrow but shrugged, "Sounds good to me. Keep your scrolls close and stay safe ok, and if you come across any of the ingredients we talked about last night feel free to grab them. It never hurts to be prepared."

"Any side effects to the new elixir yet?" asked Kim pointedly.

"I was just getting ready to try it now mom. Chill out kiddo. It shouldn't have any weird effects. Go have fun," said Eda in fake exasperation.

So after getting dressed and gearing up the twin left to explore. As they traveled they chatted about things they'd learned since coming to the Isles and Kim marveled at how fit Luz was getting from spending so much time exploring. About an hour into their adventure Kim asked, "So is there a reason you didn't want us to tell anyone today is our birthday?"

"Multiple actually. After learning about how deeply everyone is still hurt about what happened to their rulers it seems kinda disrespectful to make today all about us. Then there's all that stuff that happened yesterday. Eda needs to rest, not worry about throwing us a party. Lastly it just wouldn't be the same without mami. We can just celebrate when we get home," mused Luz.

"Ya I see your point, and I guess springing it on them at the last minute like this would be kinda selfish. I know they'd want to get us something, but with all the shops closed it will just bum them out," agreed Kim.

Luz cracked a smile, "They already gave us amazing gifts. We have friends for once, and magic. Not to mention a great mentor and the cutest little buddy around. We don't really need anything else, right?"

"A way home would be nice, but ya. They've already given us too much," laughed Kim.

After another couple hours Luz indicated for Kim to slow down and stay quiet. As they snuck closer to a clearing they found a half dozen adults with a cart full of cages. Most of them were small, but one cage was roughly big enough for an adult to fit in, and from out of it they heard a voice yelling, "Thieves. Poachers. When I get out of here…"

One of the adults hit the cage with some kind of magical arching shock baton, "Shut up you monster. It don't matter what ya gonna do when ya get out cuz you an't getting out. Once we are done delivering you and your little palisman friends to to Emperor me and my men are going to live like kings."

Kim and Luz shared a look before Luz smiled and fished through her bag until she pulled out two bandannas. Kim got a mischievous grin and nodded back before taking one and separating to move to the other side of the cart. With almost practiced ease the twins got to work. First they used plant glyphs to silently wrap up the fringe guards and pull them into the underbrush. Then Luz circled to the front and set off a large flash bomb spell to stun and blind the remaining guards, and giving Kim the opportunity to cast a pair of sleep spells she'd learned to help with unruly patients in healing class, knocking out two more guards. Lastly Luz charged forward with a hard light sword and incapacitated the remaining guards. With that done the twins gave each other a high five, and moved over to the cart. When they got close they heard a low growing hiss from the largest cage, "I don't know who you are or what you want, but you'd better release us if you know what's good for you."

Luz put on an unamused smirk and gestured to the smaller cages, "Well we were going to do that, but if you're going to be rude I might just leave you in there and just save all these cuties instead."

"No time Lu. Smash the locks. There's no telling how long they will be out for," urged Kim.

"Fine. Everyone move back as far as you can. I'm going to have to do this quick," said Luz as she used a plant glyph to make a wood hammer and start smashing locks. Once they were free all the palisman scattered, and the witchling that had been in the large cage tried to run away before she doubled over in pain and her form shifted into a serpentine form. She had a swamp green body with cream spots and navy-blue hair. In her tail was a metal ring. With little other choice the twins picked her up between them and the three ran off back into the trees. After about half an hour of running Luz pointed out a hollow tree big enough to hide in and catch their breath. Once they were sure they weren't being followed Kim got to work assessing the snek and making sure she was ok. Upon closer inspection Kim was sickened and angered to find old scars and signs of long term forced imprisonment in the form of particular scarring around her wrists from manacles digging in over time. Kim did find the current issue though the serpent had multiple cracked and broken ribs from she assumed being kicked repeatedly on both sides. It took Kim a few minutes, but she was able to heal her up, and she woke up soon after.

Upon waking up in an unfamiliar place surrounded by people she didn't know she immediately backed away as far as she could before stuttering out, "Where am I? Who are you? What do you want?"

Before Luz could give a snarky answer Kim placed her hand on her twins shoulder and said, "Don't worry we aren't here to hurt you. I'm Kim and this is my sister Luz…"

"Yo," interrupted Luz.

"We found you and those palisman being transported in cages so we freed you. Then you collapsed so we grabbed you and ran off. I just finished giving you medical attention," said Kim in an even calming voice.

"Ok. Your turn. Who and what are you," asked Luz defensively but not unkindly.

"My name is Vee. I'm a basilisk," Vee said sheepishly.

Luz came over to Vee and shook her hand with a smile, saying, "Well Vee it's nice to meet you. Is there somewhere we can take you. After all the work we put into saving you it would really suck if you got caught again."

Vee just looked at her confused, "But I'm a basilisk. Aren't you two afraid I'll attack you and try to eat your magic?"

Luz snorted, "Should we be?"

Vee looked horrified, "No I'd never do that."

Kim gave a cheeky smile, "Then we're good. Honestly you seem like a cool person so the rest doesn't matter."

Vee looked at them dumbfounded before a single tear escaped, "Really?"

Luz came over and pulled Vee into a one armed hug, "Ya. I still don't get why it's such a big deal though. Now where are we taking you?"

"Um ok. Follow me," said Vee as she slithered away deeper into the woods.

After another forty five minutes Kim asked, "So your a shapeshifter? Is this your true form, and can you change into anything you want?"

Vee grinned, "Ya this is me, and pretty much anything within reason. Like I can't become Titan sized, but from bugs to house size isn't too bad. The bigger the change though the more magic it takes, but small things aren't too rough." Vee takes on Kim's appearance, before shifting into a bulky male demon, and then a butterfly before taking on her true shape again. Luz and Kim just watch in awe before giving a small round of applause. "What were you two doing out here anyway?"

Kim and Luz share a look before Luz nods, and Kim says, "It's kinda a secret, but todays our birthday. We are staying with our mentor, and we decided to just spend today together instead of making a big deal out of it. We were exploring and getting ingredients for potions when…"

Luz suddenly darts away and collects some purple moss with orange spots before cheering, "Score Ebershade Moss. Eda's gonna be pumped."

Vee cocks her head, "Eda Clawthorne, the Owl Lady?"

Kim starts to sweat, "Ya… is that a problem?"

Vee looked at the pair in awe, "You two know the Owl Lady? That's so cool. The Bat Queen and Dell were talking about her the other day."

Luz smiled, "Yup she's our mentor. She may get a bit grouchy from time to time, but she's the coolest witch around. Maybe we could introduce you some time."

Vee beamed, "Really? You two might be the coolest witches I've ever met." Vee started making giddy noises.

"So who's The Bat Queen?" asked Kim.

"Oh she's the richest demon on the Isles. These woods actually belong to her, and just between us she runs a sanctuary for abandoned and injured palisman. She's been looking after me since I escaped, and teaching me how to fight so I can help protect them too," Vee said warmly, before realizing what she said. "Oh Titan, please don't tell anyone about the sanctuary. It's supposed to be a secret ever since Belos started sending his goons to come steal them."

"Vee relax. We're your friends, right? We would never betray you like that, and moreover anyone who would hurt those cuties is scum anyway," said Luz as she punched the air making Vee smile again.

Soon the trio came to a glade with a large log at its center. As Luz and Kim looked around they noticed dozens of pairs of eyes looking at them from all around, and then Vee spoke, "My queen I brought some friends to meet you. They saved me and some of the palisman from the poachers, and then volunteered to make sure I got back ok. I was hoping we could reward them somehow if you're ok with that."

The forest went silent for a moment before a large female head with bat wings coming out of the sides of it came gliding down and landed on the log. With a slight bow it spoke, "Hello children. I am Bat Queen, and I have been watching you two for a while now. I have seen how you scavenge in my forest, and hunt of my beasts. I have also seen and heard all that you have said while in them." Bat Queen drew herself up to her full height and flared her wings to show off her full size. "It seems the youngest Clawthorne truly does have a gift for finding things thought lost. I have seen your character and your hearts, and spoken to my little ones. Usually I would reward such strength and pure intention as you showed by looking after my Vee with an opportunity to bond with one of the little ones, but in this case that is quite impossible."

Vee looked at the Bat Queen horrified, "But why my queen? We all know that they are strong, and loving. There is no way they would hurt any of the palisman. Why can't we help them?"

"Young Vee let me finish. I didn't say we couldn't help them, only that they are unsuitable to bond with any of the little ones present. I can see their potential, and because of that I can not allow any of them to even try. Their powers will simply be too vast. Instead I offer a different gift." The Bat Queen then flew off and returned a minute later with two hunks of wood, one scarlet and the other deep purple. "These are palistrom wood and very rare. They were a gift from a dear friend years ago, and it has been my duty to protect them until the proper witchlings came to claim them. I believe you are them. Also I will grant you a rare honor. As long as you continue to keep an eye out for future scum, and continue to look out for my little ones, you may continue to roam my woods unmolested and visit here at your leisure. I'm sure my Vee would enjoy the company. Now you must go for now. I wish you the best. Fair well," the Bat Queen decreed before flying away again.

With that Kim and Luz gave Vee another hug, and left the glade to head home. Before they got too far though they heard the Bat Queen again as if speaking through the wind, "Also tell Edalyn hi for me, and I can't wait to see your mother again."

By the time Kim and Luz made it back to the Owl House it was approaching dusk. When they came in they found Eda and King waiting for them with a cake, and shouting, "Happy Birthday."

When the girls just looked at them stunned Eda started to laugh, "I'm guessing you forgot that you set your birthdays in your Penstagram account." The twins just looked at each other before they started to laugh as well. "What I don't get is why you didn't say anything this morning."

Luz looked away awkwardly, "Well we know that this time off year is special on the Isles and means a great deal to everyone. We thought it would be rude to try and make today all about us when so many are mourning something more important." Kim nodded at her sister's words.

"Bat guano. You two are just as important to me as mourning them is. Maybe even more important. I'm just sorry that I didn't have time to get you two anything with how busy we have all been, but I had a great idea. I'm going to give each of you one freebee. Any spell, any enchanted item that you want within reason. You just have to ask," said Eda with a wink.

"I made the cake, and let me know if you need anything. You two are my favorite minions after all," said King proudly.

Kim looked at Luz with a 'I just thought of something great' look to which Luz nodded for her to go ahead. So Kim said, "Actually Eda there is something you can help us with."

Eda looked on with a smirk, "Shoot kiddo. If I can do it I will."

Kim smirked back, "We met the Bat Queen while we were exploring today…"

Eda's face blanched, "Are you ok? She didn't hurt you, did she?"

Kim laughed, "No we actually made a new friend, and helped her out unintentionally."

Luz jumped in, "She says Hi by the way."

"Anyway BQ gave us these," said Kim as she and Luz pulled out their palistrom wood logs. "Maybe you could help show us how to carve our own palisman."

Eda looked at them stunned before tearing up and saying, "It would be my honor." So after dinner and cake the four of them sat down and got to carving. When they were done Kim and Luz had a pair of matching carved palistrom eggs, only in different colors. Eda asked them when they were done, "So why eggs? Like no judgment, but I was expecting just about anything else."

Kim looked at Eda with a smile, "To be honest we don't really know who we are yet or who we are supposed to be, but that is a choice that will be ours to decide."

"And we thought that that choice should be theirs as well. We will love them to matter what form they take so this just felt right," finished Luz.

Eda looked at her students with pride, "Dang it kiddos. You manage to make even chaotic choices somehow sound mature and warm." She pulled them into a hug, "Great job, and Happy Birthday."

Five nights ago in the human realm Camila was coming to check out an alert from Lina when she heard unfamiliar crying coming from the old shack. "Hello? Whomever is in there, are you ok?" asked Camila in as warm and comforting a tone as she could manage. When she didn't receive an answer she carefully made her way closer until she could see a child roughly her daughters age holding their knees to themselves desperately and softly crying.

As Camila got closer she could hear them talking to themselves, "Stupid Masha. Why couldn't you just keep who you are a secret. It only would have been for another few years. I could have done it. I could have kept lying to everyone for a little longer, but no I had to open my mouth. Now I'm all alone. Why couldn't I just keep quiet?"

Camilia heard Masha's pain in her every word, and before she even knew what she was doing she wrapped them in a reassuring hug. At first Masha stiffened, but as the warmth and love in that hug went through them they almost melted into this strangers strong arms. They just sat that way for minutes, hours, days neither knew or cared, but eventually Masha pulled themselves together and stopped crying. When they did Camila sat back and just held their hand as she asked, " It's Masha right? Please tell me what is wrong. I promise I won't judge you, and I'll do anything I can to help."

"No it's ok. I'm sorry I bothered you. I'll just go," said Masha without any real conviction.

"No, you're not bothering me. As a matter of fact, maybe you can help me. I'm looking for my daughters Luz and Kim Nocada. I've been looking for them for over a week now," said Camila warmly as she showed Masha a picture.

"Twin cuties," Masha laughed somberly. "No I haven't seen them, but they seem really lucky to have a mom like you."

"That's ok Masha. I'm not going to stop till I find my babies, but in the meantime maybe you can tell me what's wrong," pressed Camila warmly.

"It's dumb, and it's my problem to deal with," sighed Masha sadly.

"Welp now you messed up. I'm a mom so until you tell me I'm just going to keep worrying about you," Camila said with a joking smile.

Masha sat back down where she was before and said softly, "I've never felt comfortable with who I was. I'm not a boy and I'm not a girl. I'm just Masha. I keep it to myself for the last few years, but a couple weeks ago I finally got up the courage to tell my parents. " Masha started shaking, "They didn't take it well. At first they demanded I go to some camp that a friend of there's, Principle Hale, suggested, but when I refused they threw me out. At first I thought if I just gave them time they'd come around, but then I found all my stuff in the trash and I saw through the windows that they got rid of every picture of me in the house. I tried to save what I could, but there wasn't much of value and I had to pawn most of it so I could eat." Masha looked away in shame, "Mrs. Nocada, please. I haven't eaten in two days and I have nowhere else to go. Please just let me stay here tonight. I'll leave in the morning, I swear."

Camila looked at the poor abandoned child before her and pulled them into another hug. She whispered into their ear as she held them close, "No. No Masha. You will not be staying here tonight. You are going to come with me back to my home, you are going to get a warm meal, and you are going to stay with me until we can figure something else out for you. None of this is your fault. You are a strong courageous young child, and you have every right to feel comfortable in your own skin. If those perras couldn't appreciate you, that's their fault." As one the pair got up and made their way back to Camila's home, but as they did Camila noticed a pair of eyes looking at her from out of the bushes and Camila nodded at them as if to say, "Good Job. After the pair had left Lina came back out and took up her watch once more.

Over the next few days Masha proved to be exactly what Camila needed to steady her fraying nerves, and Camila proved over and over again that Masha was safe and could be themselves around her. To Camila's surprise Masha was an excellent conversationalist, with an abundance of empathy, and a wit so sharp it could cut through almost any argument. It took almost no time before they were laughing and chatting about anything and everything, and together they worked on looking for any sign of Luz and Kim. At the same time Camila grew angrier and angrier at the people who had so casually thrown away such an outstanding kid, and it sickened her how they could have ever considered themselves parents.

And then the day came. Camila's babies were fourteen, and nowhere to be seen. For the last few days Camila had been going to work at the animal clinic, and doing her best to hold herself together. But that morning, that morning she just couldn't find the energy to get out of bed. To Masha's credit they tried to leave the older latina alone to cry in private, but when it got past noon without any sign of her. Masha made a decision. They did their best and soon they where walking through Camila's bedroom door with a cup of freshly squeezed juice and some only slightly burnt food. It reminded her of the days just after Manny passed away and her precious girls did something very similar, and for the first time that day Camila let herself smile. They spent the rest of the day with stories of the Nocada twins, and to Camila's surprise Masha actually did know them. They had never shared any classes or met, but Masha did hear about them. It took almost the whole day before Masha was convinced to share any of the things they had heard, but when they did Camila's heart dropped. She learned that the broken arm Luz had gotten a few years before hadn't been from her tripping down some stairs. She had asked out one of the football players and had been pushed down them as her reward. The fight Luz had gotten into a few months before disappearing had been started when Kim asked out one of the cheerleaders and her brother had tried to beat Kim bloody, only to have Luz save her before he could get started. Camila heard story after story of how her babies had been slandered and attacked for everything and anything, and the staff did nothing. Principal Hale's opinion on such things wasn't a secret among the students and staff. If you weren't what he deemed 'normal' you where a target, and like sharks smelling blood everyone took advantage of it. At the end of the day he was an adult and a principal with an immaculate record so no one dared oppose him, and to Camila's infinite shame she could remember numerous times early into Luz and Kim's middle school career when they had tried to tell her but she had just let them down. That was the roughest night Camila had had since her girls disappeared, but it also made everything fall into place for her. She would do better. She would find her babies, and she would beg them to forgive her. She was going to make this right.

Author notes: Firstly thank you again Beninator5 for trusting me to write this fic and always being there when I need to figure things out. This fic wouldn't be half as good as it is without you. Secondly if I triggered anyone I'm so sorry. While it's not my story, Masha's story is a lot closer to reality than I'd like, and that is the truly heartbreaking part of it. I did my best, but don't worry everyone who deserves one is going to get a happy ending in my fics, or at least be in a much better place after the dust clears.

I don't know when it will come out, but the next chapter might be another rough one. It's shaping up to be in my head. In the meantime please be there for each other, and have a nice day.